Absorbent article with multiple core

Abstract

An absorbent article is provided which includes a fluid permeable top sheet and a first absorbent core being separate and in fluid communication with a second absorbent core. The second absorbent core is separate and in fluid communication with a third absorbent core. The first, second and third absorbent cores are supported between the fluid permeable top sheet and a fluid impermeable back sheet. The second absorbent core defines at least two separate absorbent core sections in fluid communication. The separate absorbent core sections define a body facing surface that engages the fluid permeable top sheet. In an alternate embodiment, the absorbent article defines a longitudinal length and includes a fluid permeable top sheet and a first absorbent core disposed adjacent a side of a central second absorbent core and pivotable, along the longitudinal length, relative to the second absorbent core. A third absorbent core is disposed adjacent to an opposing side of the second absorbent core and pivotable, along the longitudinal length, relative to the second absorbent core. The second absorbent core has a mid-section and lateral sections disposed on opposing sides of the mid-section. The mid-section and lateral sections are separate, in fluid communication and define a body-facing surface that engages the fluid permeable top sheet. In another alternate embodiment, fluid flow channels are disposed between the absorbent cores and core sections for fluid management.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising: 
 a fluid permeable top sheet;    a first absorbent core being separate and in fluid communication with a second absorbent core, the second absorbent core being separate and in fluid communication with a third absorbent core, the first, second and third absorbent cores being supported between the fluid permeable top sheet and a fluid impermeable back sheet; and    the second absorbent core defining at least two separate absorbent core sections in fluid communication, the separate absorbent core sections defining a body facing surface that engages the fluid permeable top sheet.    
     
     
         2 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third absorbent cores are disposed longitudinally along the absorbent article.  
     
     
         3 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separate absorbent core sections are disposed along an axis substantially transverse to a longitudinal length of the absorbent article.  
     
     
         4 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the top sheet and the back sheet define fluid permeable channels between the absorbent cores.  
     
     
         5 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the top sheet and the back sheet define fluid permeable channels between the separate absorbent core sections.  
     
     
         6 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body facing surface includes an acquisition film.  
     
     
         7 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the acquisition film has formed therein to facilitate fluid flow.  
     
     
         8 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the top sheet and the back sheet are joined to form longitudinal sides of the absorbent article, the absorbent cores being disposed in alignment with the longitudinal sides.  
     
     
         9 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the longitudinal sides include elastic members.  
     
     
         10 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the permeable channels are configured to facilitate flexibility of the absorbent article relative to a body.  
     
     
         11 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the permeable channels are configured to facilitate flexibility of the absorbent article relative to a body.  
     
     
         12 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the separate absorbent core sections include a mid-section having opposing concave sides and a pair of opposing lateral sections having convex sides positioned adjacent the opposing concave sides of the mid-section.  
     
     
         13 . An absorbent article defining a longitudinal length comprising: 
 a fluid permeable top sheet;    a first absorbent core disposed adjacent a side of a central second absorbent core and pivotable, along the longitudinal length, relative to the second absorbent core, the first absorbent core being separate and in fluid communication with the second absorbent core;    a third absorbent core disposed adjacent to an opposing side of the second absorbent core and pivotable, along the longitudinal length, relative to the second absorbent core, the third absorbent core being separate and in fluid communication with the second absorbent core;    the first, second and third absorbent cores being enclosed between the fluid permeable top sheet and a fluid impermeable back sheet; and    the second absorbent core having a mid-section and lateral sections disposed on opposing sides of the mid-section, the mid-section and lateral sections being separate, in fluid communication and defining a body-facing surface that engages the fluid permeable top sheet.    
     
     
         14 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first absorbent core and the second absorbent core are configured for cooperative pivotable movement relative to the second absorbent core to facilitate engagement with a body.  
     
     
         15 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the top sheet and the back sheet define fluid permeable channels between the absorbent cores and the mid-section and lateral sections, the fluid permeable channels being configured to facilitate flexibility of the absorbent article relative to a body.  
     
     
         16 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the body facing surface includes a acquisition film.  
       An absorbent article as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the absorbent article defines longitudinally extending side portions, the side portions including elastic members.  
     
     
         17 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 17 , the elastic members being configured to facilitate pivotal movement of the first absorbent core and the second absorbent core.  
     
     
         18 . An absorbent article as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the mid-section extends longitudinally along the second absorbent core such that the opposing sides are concave and the lateral sections having convex surfaces for corresponding disposal adjacent the concave opposing sides.  
     
     
         19 . An absorbent article defining a longitudinal length comprising: 
 a fluid permeable top sheet;    a first absorbent core being disposed adjacent to a central second absorbent core and pivotable relative thereto along the longitudinal length;    a third absorbent core being disposed adjacent to the second absorbent core and pivotable relative thereto along the longitudinal axis;    the first, second and third absorbent cores being enclosed between the fluid permeable top sheet and a fluid impermeable back sheet, the second absorbent core defining at least two separate absorbent core sections, the core sections defining a body facing surface that engages the fluid permeable top sheet; and    a fluid channeling means disposed between the absorbent cores and core sections for fluid management.